Age 19. 261 Washington Street, Quincy, MA. Born on 7/06/1923, in Quincy. Died of carbon monoxide poisoning (death certificate). Stenographer, Bethlehem Steel Co., Fore River Shipyard, Quincy. Described with her older sister and fellow Quincy resident Louise, age 22, dead, as, "...attractive and popular members of the city's younger set..." (Boston Evening American, 12/04/1942). Siblings were accompanied to the club by shipyard coworkers Joseph Clancy, age 24, of Quincy, and Charles Duhamel, age 27, of Millis, MA (the latter was rooming in Quincy since February), both died. Her sweetheart, Pvt. Clarence Taylor, U.S. Army, age 21 (Born 10/04/1921. Died 6/11/1984, age 62), of Quincy, arrived from training at Tucson, AZ, following word of the disaster. "Although the young couple were not formally engaged in the sense that it had been announced, relatives explained, they had 'an understanding' and friends looked forward to seeing them happily married" (Quincy Patriot Ledger, 12/01/1942). Was a graduate of Quincy High School the past June, where she had been a cheerleader. Was single. Ironically photographed in a posed formation with future Grove author Paul Benzaquin, both as members of the coed cheerleading squad for Quincy High School, two years earlier in the 10/01/1940 Quincy Patriot Ledger. Made news in February 1941 at age 17 when she bowled the highest three-string average (84) and highest single game (101) in weekly high school girls' candlepin bowling league action at the Quincy YMCA. Was one of 38 fire casualties with at least one sibling also lost. Misreported as "Emma (Irma) Wilding" on the final official November 1943 Boston Committee on Public Safety master list of casualties (error possibly resulting from the first name spelling of "Erma" [sic] on her 1923 birth certificate). Parents Mr. and Mrs. Ernest M. and Mary A. (Davis) Wilding, same address. Burial with her victim sister at Mount Wollaston Cemetery, Quincy. Middle name Mary.

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